Emil Zátopek quotes

Emil Zátopek was a legendary Czech long-distance runner, renowned for his achievements in the Olympic Games. Known as the "Czech Locomotive," his remarkable endurance and innovative training methods set him apart from his contemporaries. He inspired generations of athletes with his perseverance and sportsmanship. Here are 19 of his quotes:

I was not talented enough to run and smile at the same time.

Emil Zátopek

Essentially, we distinguish ourselves from the rest. If you want to win something, run the 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon.

Emil Zátopek

If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.

Emil Zátopek

An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head.

Emil Zátopek

You can't climb up to the second floor without a ladder. When you set your aim too high and don't fulfill it, then your enthusiasm turns to bitterness. Try for a goal that's reasonable, and then gradually raise it.

Emil Zátopek

It is not gymnastics or ice skating, you know.

Emil Zátopek

The athlete of today is not an athlete alone. He's the center of a team - doctors, scientists, coaches, agents and so on.

Emil Zátopek

Are you running out of breath? Go faster! (Life credo)

Emil Zátopek

There is a great advantage in training under unfavorable conditions. It is better to train under bad conditions, for the difference is then a tremendous relief in a race.

Emil Zátopek

Why should I practice running slow? I already know how to run slow. I want to learn to run fast.

Emil Zátopek

What has passed is already finished with. What I find more interesting is what is still to come.

Emil Zátopek

To boast of a performance which I cannot beat is merely stupid vanity. And if I can beat it that means there is nothing special about it. What has passed is already finished with. What I find more interesting is what is still to come.

Emil Zátopek

If one can stick to the training throughout the many long years, then will power is no longer a problem. It's raining? That doesn't matter. I am tired? That's besides the point. It's simply that I just have to.

Emil Zátopek

Men, today we die a little.

Emil Zátopek

One day the factory sports coach, who was very strict, pointed at four boys, including me, and ordered us to run in a race. I protested that I was weak and not fit to run, but the coach sent me for a physical examination and the doctor said that I was perfectly well. So I had to run, and when I got started I felt I wanted to win. But I only came in second. That was the way it started.

Emil Zátopek

My running was very simple; it was out of myself.

Emil Zátopek

A runner must run with dreams in his heart, not money in his pocket.

Emil Zátopek